Image Credit: ME contracting actual project picture
In the 1980s, homeowners discovered that their yard could be used as an addition to their living area, and the outdoor decks quickly rose to prominence. In fact, the current epidemic has prompted homeowners to create additional warm, safe, outside meeting spaces for the whole family to enjoy, making the style more well-liked than ever. To that end, staying current with outdoor living trends may help you create the ideal outdoor deck. In this way, when compared to other properties in your community, your property will stand out and be more appealing to prospective future buyers.
In addition, with so much attention being paid to indoor/outdoor living, outdoor spaces are also being treated, planned, and embellished similarly to inside ones. Of course, the decking material is where the best deck design starts. Selecting the proper decking material may be the most important choice you’ll make while creating a deck. Given that, varied circumstances call for various types of decking, and each has a unique aesthetic appeal, maintenance needs, and other important elements to take into account when making your choice. The finest decking material for you will therefore depend on both your personal and practical preferences
Given this, there are various common decking materials to choose from, including solid wood, artificial materials, and composites. Therefore, before selecting a material for your deck, it’s important to do your homework, understand each option’s advantages and cons, and the level of maintenance required to keep your deck looking great for years to come. Given that, we have written this article in an effort to help you learn more about the top decking options for your house in 2022. Here are some of the most popular material options to take into account when building your deck, as well as some factors to bear in mind, to get you started.
Which Material is Right for You?
You should take into account the various sorts of materials that will be accessible in 2022 while choosing decking material for your house. Fortunately, M.E. Contracting, one of Toronto’s top landscaping companies, is available to help you with their years of expertise in decking.
As a result, our decking guide will make it simpler for you to identify the best decking materials in our opinion, as well as design trends and installation advice. You may learn more about how well materials resist stains, scratches, fading, and other elements with their assistance, as well as how our style specialists evaluate the goods’ appearance. Taking into account the variety of possibilities accessible today, including premium wood species and low-maintenance synthetics. Continue reading to find out more about the various decking materials that are available.
Hard Wood Decking Materials
For homeowners wishing to create a more natural outdoor living environment, solid wood decking offers the most warmth and authenticity when it comes to the best decking materials in 2022. For instance, a conventional wood and stone deck mix offers a decking environment that is both aesthetically pleasing and traditional in appearance. However, choosing to go with any solid wood decking material frequently comes with a trade-off because you must take great care of it in order to preserve its natural beauty.
Considering this, it’s critical to take into account not only the aesthetic and maintenance requirements of the decking material, but also the overall benefits and drawbacks, as well as the expense of using this sort of decking material. Despite the inherent allure of solid wood decking solutions, like cedar decking, there are a number of disadvantages that can discourage people from considering it as a viable option. So with that said, let’s begin.
ADVANTAGE: Depending on the species, there are different advantages. Redwood and cedar have lovely grain patterns and colouring and are naturally rot-resistant species. Tropical hardwoods like IPE and mahogany are both aesthetically pleasing and durable. Pressure-treated wood is a cheap option that is elastic and simple to work with.
DISAVANTAGE: All solid wood decking materials need to be refinished roughly every year to prevent colour cracking and splinter risk. The lifespan of a solid wood deck is roughly 15 years, but, in general. Furthermore, solid wood decking is rather expensive, particularly if you go with cedar, redwood, or one of the tropical hardwoods. The chemicals used to make it resistant to rot from moisture and insects are also unpopular with consumers.
PRICES: Pressure-treated pine costs $2 to $5 per square foot, cedar costs $3 to $7 per square foot, redwood costs $5 to $30 per square foot, and IPE costs $10 to $30 per square foot.
Synthetic Decking Materials
Synthetic decking constructed of PVC or polyethylene comes in second on the list of the finest decking materials. Although this kind of decking is less typical than composite decking, it is still something that homeowners on a limited budget should consider. Given that, some vinyl decking solutions on the market might start at less than $5 per square foot.
Any deck owner who has ever had to power wash or, worse, scrape mould, mildew, dust, and filth off of their once-immaculate deck will also be envious of vinyl decking’s remarkably low care requirements and affordability. So, if you’re looking to build a new deck or need to replace an old one, synthetic decking material might be the answer.
ADVANTAGE: Synthetic decking is weather resistant and doesn’t need to be stained in addition to being economical. In comparison to other decking materials, it is also lightweight and relatively simple to cut. The versatility of colour options and ease of upkeep of a vinyl deck may be its two biggest benefits.
DISADVANTAGE: When compared to wood decking, vinyl decking has one important disadvantage: it is not made of real wood. As a result, it differs in terms of overall look and feel. But vinyl decks, which can be constructed from hollow or solid PVC components, can be created to resemble real wood (especially the solid pieces).
COST: $5 to $13 per square foot
Image Credit: ME contracting actual project picture
Composite Decking Materials
Composite decking materials are the final option on our list of the best decking materials for your house in 2022. Numerous varieties of composite decking are available. The term “composite” generally refers to the blending of numerous components to produce a brand-new finished good. Most commonly, just a select few reputable brands, such as Trex, TimberTech, and Fiberon decking, will be used by professionals for Toronto decking projects. Each of these brands has distinctive features and upkeep requirements.
However, the realistic grain patterns and color-blended planks of composite decking materials’ ability to imitate the appearance of real wood give a lifelike diversity. Additionally, composite decking is known for having exceptional scratch resistance, but this varies widely between models and price points within each brand. Considering this, let’s examine the benefits and drawbacks of this increasingly popular Toronto decking material, as well as its price.
ADVANTAGE: Composite decking doesn’t need to be dyed or treated because it’s constructed of wood and plastic fibres. Today’s top formulae have some, or all, of their sides coated in plastic to prevent mildew growth. The resistance of composite decking to external factors is just one of many benefits. Additionally, composite comes in a range of hues.
DISADVANTAGE: While the premium lines of composite may appear to be the most opulent, according to our experts, they may actually be more expensive than solid wood decking materials. The installation of composite decking is additionally challenging for expert Toronto decking firms, particularly for the average homeowner, due to its weight.
COST: $15 to $36 per square foot
Image Credit: ME contracting actual project picture
Prepare Your Home to Be Decked Out in Style with M.E. Contracting
We hope that after reading our post on the best decking material for your house, you will have a better idea of the numerous benefits and drawbacks of the different kinds of decking material that may be installed on your property.
We can help you bring any 2022 decking material idea to life, no matter what catches your attention. You might rethink any outdoor living space with the help of our products, which include solid wood decking, synthetic decking, and composite decking. Having said that, creating a modern outdoor deck in Toronto does not have to be a challenging procedure. Put M.E. Contracting on your job as soon as possible. They’ll find inspiration, define your design aesthetic, and maintain the progress of your undertaking.
